Why silicone rings, you ask? Well, they’re durable, affordable, easy to clean, nonconductive, and comfortable. They’re a great option for the gym when you don’t want to beat up your traditional wedding ring, a necessity when working with heavy machinery, and a great option for climbing, traveling, and daily life.
If you’ve ever cringed listening to someone talk about ring avulsion — when a ring catches on something and does serious damage to one’s finger — you can imagine the importance of a silicone ring. With the variety of colors and styles available, it’s clear they’re also growing in popularity.
We tested rings for more than 3 years while lifting weights at the gym, climbing, swimming, paddling, cooking, woodworking, and living daily life. Here are the best silicone rings for every budget and style.
Check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide and frequently asked questions for helpful tips, and have a look at our comparison chart to steer your decision-making.
Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys.
The Best Silicone Rings of 2023
Silicone Rings Comparison Chart
| Rang Brand | Price | Materials | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| QALO | $10-40 | Q2X Silicone | Yes – “One time, any time, any reason” |
| Groove Life | $22-35 | 100% medical grade silicone | Yes, lifetime |
| ROQ | $7-17 | 100% medical grade silicone | Yes, lifetime |
| Enso | $12-50 | “Premium” silicone | Yes, lifetime |
| ThunderFit | $8-17 | “Top grade hypoallergenic” silicone | Yes |
| SafeRingz | $25-29 | Silicone | Unknown |
Why You Should Trust Us
Traditional metal rings are simply not practical for people who work and play outside. The GearJunkie team is composed of hunters, anglers, climbers, and other folks who can’t stand the hassle of constantly removing and reinstating a metal wedding band. From a safety perspective, we feel a lot better knowing our ring could tear away without taking a finger with it.
Many of us have been wearing silicone rings long before we began intentionally testing them for this roundup. We’ve owned certain rings through multiple years of heavy active use, from washing dishes to tying flies. While testing a variety of rings, we carefully assessed their comfort, durability, aesthetics, and overall value.
After careful consideration, we’re confident that this list is composed of the best silicone rings on the market today.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Silicone Ring
Comfort & Fit
Rubber wedding bands set the standard for comfort. Our testers all preferred them over traditional metal rings. We like how flexible and lightweight they are.
That said, you’ll need to make sure you get the right ring size for a perfect fit. Each manufacturer has a size guide to help ensure a snug, yet comfortable-fitting ring. Unlike a traditional ring, you can easily return it should you get the wrong size, and the pliable material is more forgiving. Silicone rings are much easier to remove when your fingers are swollen after a long hike than a metal ring.
Stretchiness
A little bit of stretchiness makes the silicone band more comfortable. But too much, and you’ll have trouble with slippage and fit. That’s why proper sizing is still an important factor when selecting a ring. Quality rings from brands like QALO and Groovelife allow for a comfortable amount of stretch without losing their shape or coming off when you don’t want them to. One tester found that a ring from Groovelife fit securely on his ring finger, but he could also slide it comfortably on his thumb. While we’re a bit hesitant about the thumb ring stylistically, this does illustrate the stretch of a properly fitted silicone ring.
All the rings listed above have a bit of stretch. However, we did find the Enso ring eventually stretched too much after several months of hard wear.
Thickness
A thick or thin ring is really a matter of preference. The rings listed here range from 2.5 to 8 mm, and each of our testers liked them for different reasons. Several brands offer thin, stackable rings that you can mix and match, or purchase together in a set.
The thicker rings tend to last longer and fit larger hands more comfortably. They also provide a little more real estate to display cool patterns and beveled edges. Our smaller testers mostly preferred rings under 5.5 mm.
Durability
Obviously, you want your ring to last. Silicone rings are more prone to stretching or tearing than a traditional metal band, and in some cases, this could be why you choose silicone over a metal band. In our 2 years of testing, we found the QALO silicone ring has held up great and has hit all the marks for comfort and durability.
Choosing a silicone wedding band can also prolong the shine and luster of your actual metal wedding band should you choose to wear the silicone ring as your daily driver and save your expensive ring or family heirloom for special occasions only.
Variety
We love a good artisan-made silver ring, but when it comes to variety at a great price, it’s hard to beat a silicone band. Whether you’re looking for a customizable wedding band, a cute stackable ring, or something in a wildly different color, you can find just what you need.
Whether you’re looking for an understated men’s ring to replace a traditional wedding band or just a fun piece of everyday jewelry, the variety of silicone rings available will suit almost anyone.
FAQ
There are numerous reasons you should consider a silicone ring. First, we like how affordable they are. With a range of $6 to $50, you don’t have to panic if you lose it.
Second, they’re great for active lifestyles. Whether you regularly go climbing, lift weights at the gym, or operate machinery, a silicone ring is a safer option.
Third, they’re comfortable and stylish. They come in a range of colors and designs. And our testers have found the lightweight, flexible design is superior to traditional metal bands.
Definitely. We’ve worn ours nonstop while swimming, running, climbing, hiking, sleeping, working, and traveling.
You may choose to remove yours at night or during specific activities out of personal preference. But after 2 years of testing, we’ve found you can certainly wear a silicone ring every day.
Ring avulsion, also known as degloving, is pretty darn terrifying. Basically, it means your ring gets stuck on something. The results can range from a little bruise to full amputation. It’s of particular concern to climbers, woodworkers, and anyone who uses machinery.
And while the best option is to completely remove all jewelry during these pursuits, we understand that’s not always ideal. And a silicone wedding ring is a great, safe alternative. As QALO explains, silicone rings are built to break free under extreme stress, thereby preventing degloving and saving your digits.
This can vary depending on the ring and your personal lifestyle. That said, we’ve been wearing our top choice ring for a solid 2 years, and it looks and feels as good as new.
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